The Senator obviously knew it too. She relaxed her arms and looked at Hood. Then she took a cleansing breath and returned the envelope to Hood. "Would you mind keeping these for a time? After twenty-five years, you've given me— well, it's the buzzword of the nineties," the Senator said, "but you've given me closure. I'm just not ready yet to deal with the grief again. I suspect there will be a lot of that in Dominique's trial." "I understand," Hood said. He laid the envelope behind him on the desk. He remained standing so she wouldn't have to see it.
The public Senator began to return almost at once. Her eyes cleared, her shoulders straightened, her voice became stronger.
"So. You know that now I can't make cutbacks," she said.
Hood said, "Senator, I didn't do this for political favors." "I know. Which is even more of a reason why I have to fight for you. I was being snippy when I arrived, but Op- Center has proven its worth. So have you. Coming from most of the people I know, this moment would have reeked of manipulation. Washington isn't a training ground for real intimacy but you created it here today. And I do believe, Paul, with all my soul, that we have to get behind our worthy people as well as our worthy institutions." She offered her hand. Hood shook it.
"Thank you for today," she said. "I'll call later so we can arrange another meeting. Let's figure out how we can satisfy the budget watchdogs and you." "I warn you," Hood smiled, "I may need more money.
I've got an idea for a new agency." "That may be the way to get more money," the Senator said. "Cut from Op-Center, give it back with extra for a different agency. It's smoke and mirrors but everyone's happy." Senator Fox showed herself out, ignoring her aides' questioning looks as she marched them toward the elevator.
Hood went around the desk and sat down. He put the envelope in a drawer. Then he took his wallet from his jacket pocket, removed the ticket stubs, and tore them up.
He put them in an envelope and tucked them in the drawer.
After twenty-five years, Hood felt that he had closure as well.
ABOUT THE CREATORS
Tom Clancy is the author of The Hunt for Red October, Red Storm Rising, Patriot Games, The Cardinal of the Kremlin, Clear and Present Danger, The Sum of All Fears, Without Remorse, and Debt of Honor. He is also the author of the nonfiction books Submarine, Armored Cav, and Fighter Wing. He lives in Maryland.
Steve Pieczenik is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist with an M.D. from Cornell University Medical College. He has a Ph.D. in International Relations from M.I.T. and served as principal hostage negotiator and international crisis manager while Deputy Assistant Secretary of State under Henry Kissinger, Cyrus Vance, and James Baker. He is also the bestselling novelist of the psycho-political thrillers The Mind Palace, Blood Heat, Maximum Vigilance, and Pax Pacifica.